Friday, July 30, 2010

I have taken a 3 day week-end to try to get my head together. So I am in much need of a chick-flick week-end. So here it goes...

The MatchMaker (1997)

When election campaigner Marcy Tizard arrives in Ballinagra Ireland to track down the ancestral roots of U.S. Senator John McGlory, romance is the last thing on her mind. But this otherwise sleepy village is in the middle of its annual matchmaking festival, and the locals have money on it that she'll be fixed up in no time.

2. In a large bowl, combine cake and pudding mixes. Add eggs, water, oil and liqueur. Beat for 5 minutes at high speed. Pour batter over nuts in pan.

3. Bake 60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in center of cake comes out clean. Cool for 10 minutes in the pan.

4. Prepare glaze while cake is cooling in pan. Combine butter, water and sugar in small saucepan. Bring to a boil and continue boiling for 5 minutes, stirring constantly. Remove from heat and stir in Irish Cream.

5. Invert cake onto serving dish. Prick top and sides of cake. Spoon glaze over top and brush onto sides of cake. Allow to absorb glaze; repeat until all glaze is used.

Week-end Blogger friends. I took sometime off this past week when I lost my beloved cat Bailey. He would have been 18 on Christmas Day. I hsve been struck by the kindness of the people around me. Seems their are other animal people out there that have felt the same way I do right now. I miss my little furry baby more than I can say...

Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge. When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge. There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together. There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable.

All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor. Those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by. The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind. They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent. His eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster.

You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.

Friday, July 16, 2010

Happy Week-end everyone. I have always felt like Iris while watching this movie. I hope you enjoy it as much as I do...

The Holiday (2006) In London, Iris Simpkins write a wedding column in a newspaper and has an unrequited love for her colleague Jasper Bloom. Nearby Christmas, she is informed that Jasper is engaged and will marry another colleague, and her life turns head over heels. In Los Angeles, the movie-trailers maker Amanda Woods has just broken with her unfaithful boyfriend Ethan and wants to forget him. Amanda access a house exchange website, and impulsively swaps her mansion for Iris' cottage in Surrey for the holiday along the next two weeks. While in Surrey, Amanda meets Iris' brother and book editor Graham and they fall in love for each other. Meanwhile Iris meet her next door neighbor, the ninety year old screenplay writer Arthur, who helps her to retrieve her self-esteem, and the film composer Miles, and they fall in love for each other

This week-ends movie goes out to my friend Kelly who is soon going to be in San Francisco for a Stella & Dot event. *sigh* must be nice. I miss that city. So I thought I would feature a chick flick set in The City.Take note of the joke of Phoenix vs. San Francisco. (FYI my last trip I did a whole week of movies set there to get into the mood. Yup I'm a nerd like that. haha) Have fun Kelly!The rest of you out there enjoy the movie & the tasty treat!

Just Like Heaven...Elizabeth Masterson, a dedicated doctor in San Francisco, had almost no time for anything. When her sister with two kids set her up on a date, she gets into a tragic car crash and gets in a coma. Meanwhile, David Abbott moves into San Francisco and coincidentally, into Elizabeth's apartment for rent. While at the apartment, Elizabeth's spirit haunts him. She doesn't remember who she is, who her family is, and what she did - All that she remembered was her apartment and where everything was. To settle the arguments, David agrees to figure out who Elizabeth really is. When they get close to figuring out who she is, they eventually find love in each other and as they finally know who she really is, they learn that fate really has put them both together

Monday, July 5, 2010

Forget Hilda (silk flowers on the wall really?). Forget Frank (the Trump lo King). My favorite Trading Spaces designer had to be Laura Smith. This week-end I came across her book & had to have it. her designs have warms, traditions with a modern twist.

Place the liners in an 8-cup cupcake tin. Cut 3-inch thick slices of seedless watermelon. Cut round cupcake sized pieces from the slices. Put a watermelon ‘cupcake’ in each liner. Place a dollop of frosting on each cupcake. Decorate as desired with sprinkles. Serves 8.CREAM CHEESE-PINEAPPLE ICING

Make a simple syrup by bringing the water and sugar to a boil. Allow it to cool. (Leftover syrup can be stored indefinitely in the refrigerator.)

Place the watermelon in a food processor or blender, and pulse until smooth, then press through a fine sieve, reserving the juice.

Place the vodka, lime juice, ½ ounce of simple syrup, and 2-3 ounces of watermelon juice (to taste) into a cocktail shaker with ice. Shake well, and strain into a martini glass. Garnish with a wedge of watermelonMakes 1 cocktail.

Watermelon Face Mask

Things You'll Need:One cup of chopped watermelon without seeds1/2 half of a banana1/2 of a small container of plain yogurtglass bowlmetal spoonblender

After chopping the watermelon into smaller pieces, place it in the blender. Add the banana and half of your cup of yogurt.

Blend the ingredients.

Turn the blender on and blend until the contents are thick and pasty. If the mixture is too thin, add more yogurt, If too thick, add a small amount of water.

Place your freshly made watermelon mask in the refrigerator for at least an hour before using. It feels much more inviting when it's a bit cold.

Spread a thin layer of the mask over your face. Relax with your eyes closed for fifteen minutes. Wash off the mask with cold water.

Thursday, July 1, 2010

Ahh the week-end is here again my friends. What better way to avoid the heat than curling up & watching Lucy? This is a great one that doesn't get show a lot. Although it is going to me on Turner this month. It's very sweet to see Lucy & Desi still newly weds in this cute film. Enjoy!

The Long, Long Trailer (1953) Nicky and Tacy are going to be married. Nicky wants to save up money for a house, but Tacy dreams of starting off with their own home on wheels--a trailer. After the two are hitched, they hitch up their trailer and begin their honeymoon. The humor comes from several disastrous adventures the couple has while traveling including Tacy's awkward attempt to cook dinner in a moving trailer, and a cliffhanging ride through the mountains that nearly destroys their marriage